In conjunction with parsha studies, kindergartners asked how Avraham knew where he was going. This sparked a unit on maps. One of the interesting components of mapping is the idea of using symbols to represent various points on the map. These symbols are portrayed in a box on the side of a map in a key, or legend.

Engineer Aviva (Gila and Nadav Oppenheim’s mom) joined the class via Zoom to explain how her job as an engineer for the Port Authority uses maps. She showed us the places that the Port Authority is in charge of. Then we had the chance to choose different parts of the map, based on the color-coded key that depicted airports, ports, path trains, tunnels and bridges. What a fantastic way for the students to learn about the job of an engineer and to get to see the many ways maps are helpful.